I am a Feminist, an Ally, and a Defender

4/20/2015

Dr. Michael Fowlin, psychologist and poet, presented his one-man show You Don’t Know Me…Until You Know Me, at The Hun School of Princeton on Wednesday, April 15th for Diversity Day. Dr. Fowlin’s provocative performance piece features story-telling, original poetry, and a powerful narrative that effectively humanizes individual differences. Through his art, he aims to promote an atmosphere of inclusion, not just tolerance, towards all people. Following the presentation, students and faculty met in smaller break-out sessions to discuss difference and celebrate the School’s diversity.

Dr. Michael Fowlin, psychologist and poet, presented his one-man show You Don’t Know Me…Until You Know Me, at The Hun School of Princeton on Wednesday, April 15th for Diversity Day. Dr. Fowlin’s provocative performance piece features story-telling, original poetry, and a powerful narrative that effectively humanizes individual differences.

Through his art, he aims to promote an atmosphere of inclusion, not just tolerance, towards all people. Following the presentation, students and faculty met in smaller break-out sessions to discuss difference and celebrate the School’s diversity.

“I am a feminist,” said Dr. Fowlin “because I am a man. I am an ally to the LBGTQ community because I am straight. I defend the rights and dignity of the hand-capable, because I am able bodied. It is not enough to understand difference. We have to embrace it as well.”

Throughout the program Dr. Fowlin used character narratives to introduce moments of pain, longing, difference, and difficulty fitting in, often to emotional response. Following the program, students and faculty broke into smaller groups to respond to the program’s message and to distill the feelings it elicited.

Dr. Fowlin’s visit came during The Hun School’s Gender and Sexuality Awareness week. Events during the week included an inclusive language campaign, Centennial Speaker Series presentation by Jason Collins, observation of the national Day of Silence, and an ally party celebrating students for who they are.

The Hun School of Princeton is an independent, coeducational, private day and boarding college preparatory school. Student-centered, hands-on learning prepares students for the global community in which they will live and work.